EB-1A
Excaliber
ser.21066
'Article 66'
assigned
to High technology Aerospace Weapons Center (HAWC)
Groom
Lake, NV.
Fall
1987
After a meeting between Gen. Brad Elliott (Director of HAWC), and
Col. James Anderson (deputy commander-2157th evaluation sqn. Edwards AFB), the
4th B-1A prototype was delivered to Dreamland for the evaluation of new systems
for the B-1B, which included the AGM-130 Striker and the AIM-120 Scorpion
for the upcoming secret raid on the Russian Kavaznya Laser facility.
After arrival, the aircraft was stripped to the airframe and rebuilt
using Fibersteel (Carbon steel/fiberglass mix) and other composite
materials. The cockpit received 4 multi-function displays, a fly-by-wire flight
control system was installed, and the ejection capsule was replaced by ejection
seats. The 'Crosseye' ECM spine was replaced, and 4 external weapons pylon were
added. The new underwing pylons were designed to carry the special MER 6-rack
for the AIM-120. 2 ESM pods were added to the wing pylons as a part of the new
ALQ-161Echo defensive ECM system, the AN/APQ-164 radar was upgraded to the
AMRAAM compatible -164 Alpha, and the 3-tone camoflage was replaced by a radar
absorbing flat black finish. The new article number was applied on the tail,
false USAF test badges and the HAWC sash on the intakes.
Article 066 was used to test many of the ECM,
weapons and systems upgrades that were made to the B-1B fleet. After the
Maraklov spy incident, which forced the shutdown of HAWC in 1995, the plane was
restored to stock configuration and flown to the Airforce museum,
Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.
Bud
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